Gov. Andrew Cuomo today called the charges that former Met Council Executive Director Willie Rapfogel stole millions of dollars from the New York City-based nonprofit “disturbing,” but he declined to say whether the scandal should be the straw that finally breaks the back of Shelly Silver’s Assembly speakership.

Speaking to reporters following an event in the North Country, Cuomo also praised someone with whom he hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye – state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman – for his handling of the Rapfogel case. He made no mention of state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who is also playing a role in this investigation.

“The accusations and admissions thus far are truly disturbing, and the attorney general, I think, is doing the right thing, and he should pursue the matter,” Cuomo said. “…It should be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. There’s no doubt it’s very troubling on a number of levels.”

Asked whether lawmakers who received campaign contributions from Century Coverage Corporation, the Met Council’s insurance broker that conspired with Rapfogel to pad the nonprofit’s insurance payments and donate the cash to favored political candidates, Cuomo replied: “That’s up to each individual lawmaker.”

As he has numerous times before, Cuomo insisted that the decision about whether to keep Silver, who has been friends with Rapfogel for over four decades and employs his wife, Judy, as his chief of staff, as speaker rests solely with the Assembly Democrats.

“The speaker is elected by the Assembly and it’s really up to them what they decide,” the governor said. “They pick the leader, so the consequences will be determined the Assembly – if any.”